Jamaica was the lovely one, I played her well As we lay in the tall grass where the shadows fell Hiding from the children so they would not tell We would stay there 'til her sister rang the evening bell Jamaica, say you will Help me find a way to fill these empty hours Say you will come again tomorrow The daughter of a captain on the rolling seas She would stare across the water from the trees Last time he was home he held her on his knees And said, "The next time they would sail away just where they pleased" Jamaica, say you will Help me find a way to fill these lifeless sails And stay until' my ships can find the sea Jamaica was a sweet young one, I loved her true She was a comfort and a mercy through and through Hiding from this world together, next thing I knew We had brought her things down to the bay, what could I do Jamaica, say you will Help me find a way to fill these sails And we will sail until' our waters have run dry